Jail on cards for L-platers under tough laws proposed in Victoria
Jail is on the cards for learner drivers who breach this requirement under tough laws being proposed in Victoria.
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Learner drivers in Victoria could soon face jail or a whopping $9900 fine under tough new changes.
And interstate drivers who use alcohol interlock devices will also need to obey the zero alcohol requirement in Victoria under the flagged changes.
Learner drivers could face up to six months behind bars or a $9900 fine for not having a qualified driver sitting beside them under proposed legislation introduced into state parliament last week.
Currently, the penalty for driving alone is $3300.
About 5000 related traffic fines are issued for this every year.
Meanwhile, interstate offenders who are subject to an interstate alcohol interlock condition must obey the zero blood alcohol requirement in Victoria or face up to four months’ jail.
Police powers will also be boosted to disqualify interstate licence holders busted for drink or drug driving.
The maximum penalty for people caught driving unlicensed – where authority to drive has expired by under six months – will also be doubled to $3300.
The penalty will close a loophole allowing interstate drivers to enjoy a lesser penalty.
Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said the increased penalties would deter people from breaking the rules and ensure roads were safe.
“To stop unlicensed drivers and unsupervised learners getting behind the wheel, we’re making changes to align penalties for those offences with other penalties for dangerous driving,” he said.
“When people from interstate come to Victoria with conditions on their licence they need to abide by Victorian road rules, including having zero alcohol in their system if they’re using an interlock elsewhere.”
The proposed laws are yet to be debated by the parliament.
The Andrews government says the changes are in line with its new road safety strategy, which aims to halve deaths and significantly reduce injuries by 2030.
The 2020 death toll showed alcohol was a contributing factor to a fifth of the fatalities on Victorian roads last year.
Originally published as Jail on cards for L-platers under tough laws proposed in Victoria
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